Conflict Resolution (II)

“Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” Isaiah 41.10 Message.

There are moments in life when the greatest battle is not visible. A person may look composed and still be inwardly unraveling. A person may speak calmly and still be under tremendous internal strain. A person may carry on with duties, responsibilities, appearances, and conversations while deep inside the heart is panicking.

Panic is one of the silent devastations of human life.

“Panic implies that there is no rational thought taking place. That we are frozen and incapable of adjusting. Powerless to logic, and subject to seemingly unthinkable behaviour. Anthony Scaramucci

Panic does not always announce itself dramatically. Sometimes it enters quietly. It hides beneath routine, competence, religious language, good dressing, polite greetings, and outward composure. Yet inwardly, a person may be anxious, frightened, agitated, tired, and near despair.

“Panic is a natural human response to danger, but it’s one that severely compounds the risk.” David Ignatius.

Panic leads to the loss of joy, the weakening of resolve, the disturbance of thought, the pressure to pretend, the feeling of helplessness, and the dangerous inward attitude that says, “I do not care anymore.”

Panic is an inward crisis that eventually manifests negatively on the outside. It is an invisible battle with visible consequences.

We must not ignore this hidden crisis.

“The hardest battles are the ones that are happening inside us. Especially when we don’t know which side we are on.” Anastasia Bitkova.

Panic is an inward crisis. The crisis of the soul under pressure, the mind under agitation, the heart under strain, and the life that is trying to hold together under burdens that feel too heavy.

READ ALSO: Conflict resolution (I)

“The single most important way to win over panic attacks is to respond to them from a different point of view. To get better, you don’t struggle with anxiety, you don’t try to get rid of the uncomfortable sensations, you don’t avoid threatening situations. You choose to take a different attitude toward them. With this new attitude in place, you will know what actions to take.” R. Reid Wilson.

A critical way to deal with panic is prayer. When panic hits, talk to God. Ask for His help. Ask Him, Lord, help me. There is something about praying “God help me”.

“That’s right. Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic. I’m right here to help you.’ Isaiah 41.13 Message.

“Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favour to us sinners) that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].” Hebrews 4.16.